Tributes to former North East mayor and councillor Brian Briggs

Brian Briggs, who served as Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland in 2009/2010 and as a Skelton councillor from 2003 to 2015, has died aged 86 and has been paid tribute by local leaders and his family.

Brian Briggs has died at the age of 86. He served as Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland for the 2009/2010 year and represented Skelton as a councillor from 2003 to 2015. He was known in the area for long-standing community service and local involvement. Family and council figures have issued public tributes. Key facts: - Brian Briggs died aged 86 and served as Mayor of Redcar and Cleveland in 2009/2010. - He represented Skelton on the council from 2003 to 2015 and was a parish councillor for Skelton and Brotton for 20 years. - He chaired the Cleveland Fire Authority during his public service and raised more than £10,000 for Zoe's Place and the Great North Air Ambulance during his mayoral year. - With his wife Margaret, he ran the Duke of William Inn in Skelton from 1986 to 2000 and was involved with Skelton Castle Cricket Club. - He was well known for playing Father Christmas at around 30 venues each year for more than two decades. - His funeral is scheduled for Friday 16 January at 1.30pm at Skelton All Saints Church, and the family has welcomed donations in his memory to Macmillan Nurses or the animal charity Maxi's Mates via funeral-notices.co.uk. Summary: Brian Briggs is being remembered locally for a long record of service and community involvement, both as an elected representative and through voluntary roles. The family has announced funeral arrangements for 16 January and has noted where donations in his memory may be made.